San Marcos congregation buys 'ark' to benefit needy

By: NOELLE IBRAHIM - Staff Writer | Thursday, December 7, 2006 7:54 PM PST ∞

After a year of fundraising, the Mission San Marcos United Methodist Church has reached its goal of collecting $5,000 to purchase an ark-full of animals from Heifer International, a nonprofit organization dedicated to preventing hunger and poverty by providing livestock and training to communities in need across the world.

"We have just always felt that our responsibility as Christians is to see what we can do to help the rest of the world," said the Rev. Paul G. Dinkel. "The Heifer Project has a real good track record of helping people."

The church's $5,000 donation, which was raised through loose change collections, soup and pasta meals and ice cream socials, will provide a recipient with the "start-up capital" of farm animals, plus training, support and transportation.

The ark contains at least two of each animal, including sheep, flocks of chicks, trios of rabbits, beehives, guinea pigs, llamas, donkeys, goats, oxen, cows, trios of ducks, water buffalo, flocks of geese and pigs.

For 60 years, Heifer International has helped millions of families in 128 countries become entrepreneurs, improving their quality of life by providing a sustainable source of food and income and moving them toward greater self-reliance. Recipients have used the ark to start weaving centers, milk-processing plants, honey-marketing collectives and other enterprises.

"It helps people help themselves, rather than just giving a handout," said Nicole Jones, co-chairwoman of the congregation's Mission Committee, who managed the project. "It coaches people on how to provide for their families and survive on their own."

Dinkel lauded the program's strategy of "passing the gift" by requiring recipients to give the first offspring of their animals to other families in need, along with their resources, knowledge and skills.

"Heifer just feeds into the next generation and the next generation," he said.

"The project just snowballs," said Jean Isam, church secretary. "That $5,000 goes a really long way."

Dinkel said the congregation first got involved with Heifer International for a Sunday School project three summers ago, when they raised enough money to purchase two water buffalo for a needy family. Since then, the congregation of about 100 members had been enthusiastic about taking on the more ambitious project of raising money for an entire ark.

"When we got close (to reaching our goal), a few members gave extra and said 'Let's finish,' " said Dinkel. The church tracked its progress by putting up a chart with animals on the wall, watching as they filled the ark, one animal at a time.

Dinkel said he liked the fact that the project had concrete results, allowing participants to see the impact of their efforts.

"Heifer makes sure the donation goes to people both where there's need and a likelihood of participating in building up their community's economy," he said. "I think it's tremendous that we have a generous congregation that's willing to extend themselves in helping people in other parts of the world."

Learn more about Heifer International at www.heifer.org, or write to Heifer Project International

P.O. Box 8058, Little Rock, AR 72203 for a catalog, or call (800) 422-0474.

Contact staff writer Noelle Ibrahim at (760) 761-4404 or nibrahim@nctimes.com.

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